North Korea: White House rejects Pyongyang's accusations of 'hostile intent' over joint military drills with South Korea

The United States has rejected North Korea’s repeated accusations of having hostile intent against the isolated nation. The White House reiterated that Washington intends to pursue diplomacy.

A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said on Wednesday that Washington does not have hostile intentions against Pyongyang, rejecting North Korea’s allegations following the joint military drills. The spokesperson reiterated the US stance of seeking dialogue and diplomacy with North Korea.

“We have made clear that we have no hostile intent toward the DPRK and seek serious and sustained diplomacy to address the full range of issues of concern to both countries and the region,” said the spokesperson, referring to North Korea by the initials of its formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

The statement by the White House reiterated Washington’s willingness to meet with Pyongyang officials “at a time and place convenient for them.”

“We reject the notion that our joint exercises with partners in the region serve as any sort of provocation. These are routine exercises fully consistent with past practice,” said the official.

“The United States is continuing to work closely with allies and partners to ensure peace and stability in the region. At the same time, we will continue to work with allies and partners to fully enforce UN Security Council resolutions that reflect the will of the international community and to limit the DPRK’s ability to advance its unlawful weapons programs and threaten regional stability,” the official added.

The response by the White House follows the allegations by North Korea, who, according to state media outlet KCNA, said it was not interested in pursuing diplomacy with the US as long as Washington pursues hostile policies.

North Korea levied the accusations after the US and South Korea carried out military drills on Thursday. The South Korean defense ministry released a statement on the joint military drills, which involved B-1B bombers and F-22 and F-35 fighter jets.

The ministry said the combined air exercises aimed to promote interoperability between the US and South Korean military and posed an effective demonstration of alliance capabilities amidst threats from North Korea.